HICKORY, N.C. -
Alexandria Gray's RBI single in the bottom of the sixth gave
Madison Wilson all the runs she needed as the 2026 SAC Pitcher of the Year spun a two hit, 1-0 shutout victory in game one of the SAC opening round.
Avery Kiger went 3-for-3 at the plate, including the double in the 6th to set up Gray's game winning hit.
The Bears will need to win one game tomorrow to host the SAC Championship round next weekend.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: (1) Lenoir-Rhyne 1, (8) Emory & Henry 0
Records: Lenoir-Rhyne (38-11) Emory & Henry (26-23)
Location: Hickory, N.C. | McCrorie Family Stadium
STORY OF GAME:
- It was a pitching dual in this one as the Wasps were held to just two hits while the Bears had six.
- Avery Kiger's third hit of the game was a one out double in the bottom of the sixth.
- Chloe Woodward came in to run for Kiger and Alexandria Gray laced a single up the middle to allow Woodward to come home and score the game's only run.
- Madison Wilson allowed just a single in the second and a double in the fourth in the complete game shutout.
STATS OF GAME:
- This was Avery Kiger's fourth three-hit game of the season as Kiger was the only player in the game with multiple hits.
- Madison Primm and Kaylan Brown joined Gray with the other hits for the Bears.
- The game was played in just 1:21 minutes today.
- Madison Wilson struck out eight in the win.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:
- Head Coach, Shena Hollar now sits at 1,101 career victories.
- LR is now 76-45 all-time in the SAC Tournament
- This is the second year of this tournament format and both years LR has hosted Emory & Henry in the first round.
- Bears are now 3-0 against the Wasps in the SAC Tournament.
UP NEXT: Game two will be at 1:00 p.m. tomorrow afternoon. The Bears need one win to punch their ticket in the Championship series starting next Friday. If game three is needed it will follow that 1:00 p.m. game.
